Israel has raised defensive readiness amid reports that U.S. President Donald Trump could order strikes on Iranian infrastructure and energy facilities, though officials have made no public comment and the Home Front Command has not changed its instructions.
There is still no certainty that Trump has decided to resume large-scale fighting. Israeli assessments nevertheless hold that any American attack on Iran could trigger missile fire toward Israel, even if the U.S. does not ask the IDF to participate.
Trump before the latest wave of strikes on Iran
The heightened alert comes as Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a member of Iran’s negotiating team and a University of Tehran professor frequently cited as close to the regime, warned Gulf states to prepare for “immediate evacuation.”
“Based on statements by the Trump administration, it appears highly likely, after months of threats, that tonight will be the last night of normal life in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and perhaps Oman,” Marandi wrote on X.
“If attacks are carried out against Iran’s civilian infrastructure, the vital infrastructure of these regimes, together with that of Israel and perhaps Jordan, will be destroyed,” he added. “The populations of these regimes should prepare for immediate evacuation.”
Trump, who has not publicly announced a decision, posted a series of messages on his social media platform Saturday evening. He highlighted the sinking of 159 Iranian vessels under his administration, contrasted his record with those of former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and celebrated the collapse of Iran’s currency.
“Trump is destroying the Iranian currency. Iran is experiencing massive inflation,” one post said above a graph showing the value of the Iranian rial. Trump also shared images of fighter jets.
Israel’s Transportation Ministry said Ben Gurion Airport was operating normally and that there had been no changes to the flight schedule.
“If there are changes or new instructions, the public will be updated in an orderly manner,” the ministry said. “The Transportation Ministry is prepared for every scenario.”
CBS reported Friday, citing sources, that the U.S. and Israel were preparing one of the most significant bombing operations yet against Iran, potentially to be launched Saturday or Sunday.
An Israeli official later told CBS that Israel was unaware of any decision to fully resume the military campaign and had not received a request to join operations against Iran.
(Photo: GPO)
Israel has remained publicly silent as it waits for Trump’s decision and seeks to avoid being portrayed as pushing Washington toward a wider war. Similar periods of heightened tension in recent months did not ultimately break the status quo established in April.
Israeli defense systems are nevertheless on high alert. Officials are preparing for the possibility that Tehran could retaliate against Israel if Trump approves strikes on Iranian infrastructure, even without direct Israeli participation.
Israel is also trying to avoid a miscalculation that could lead Iran to believe the IDF is preparing to attack. Senior Israeli officials warned that if Tehran launches missiles at Israel, it “will pay a very heavy price.”
U.S. embassies across the region, including in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Israel, have issued security warnings urging American citizens to leave or prepare to depart immediately if the situation escalates.
The State Department also issued a broader warning for Americans throughout the Middle East.
“U.S. citizens should consider departing the region or be prepared to depart in the event of escalation,” it said.
First published: 20:08, 08.01.26